Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?
0 of 9 answered.
A score is not a diagnosis. The PHQ-9 relies on self-report, so a provisional finding has to be verified by clinical interview — taking into account how well the patient understood the questions, the duration and impact of symptoms, and information from family or other sources.
The instrument also asks how difficult these problems have made it to work, take care of things at home, or get along with other people. That answer is not scored, but it carries real weight in deciding what to do next.
Before diagnosing a depressive disorder, exclude a history of manic episodes, a physical disorder or medication as the cause, and normal bereavement.
Item 9 counts toward the syndrome pattern whenever it is present at all, unlike every other item, which needs “more than half the days”.
For anxiety symptoms, see the GAD-7.